Unwanted cans are a common material for crafts, but tutorials on using them to make relief artworks are rare. Cut off the side of the can, make embossed text and patterns, and put it into a photo frame to get a very unique decoration that you can’t even buy!~
Materials and tools: cans, cardboard, cutters, scissors, photo frames, etc.
The first step is to cut the can open. If you have a manual can opener, you can save a lot of effort. But for this tutorial, we're going to pierce the can a few times around the creased part of the top.
Then carefully cut off the top with scissors, and do the same with the bottom.
If the resulting aluminum sheet is still bent, it can be tightened around a table, work surface or other edgePull on the tape to gently remove the curved portion.
Use paper cutters or scissors to cut off extra sharp edges. Pass it through an embossing machine, use a rolling pin, or place it under a set of heavy books to flatten it completely.
From a standard 12-ounce can, you should get a piece of aluminum that is about 3.5x8.0in to 3.75x8.5in. Here it is cut to about 3.6X5.2 size to fit the chosen photo frame size.
Cut the design twice from medium weight cardstock and glue together, making sure to dry completely.
Both the relief and hollow molds in the picture above can be used. Depending on which style you like, you can skip to the end of the article to see the effect.
Here is an example of a relief-style template.
The easiest way is to place the aluminum sheet on an embossing pad/rubber sheet and run it through the embossing machine.
But here only a heavy book or rolling pin is used. Place the aluminum piece on the mold and press it firmly.
The final framed effect is amazing!
These are the effects produced by two different molds. Compare and make your choice!
